I do not have the paid version of this theme. I am using the free version.
Here is how you do it:
Go to More Theme Option from you theme- Customize. At the top there are the words More Theme Option.
This will take you to the Theme Option but there are more tabs on the top. Look there.
Click on the tab at the top that says: Featured Slider (Click on slider option)
You can disable that which will get rid of the tiger and also it gives you the option to upload your own by now clicking on featured post slider options.
This is a great theme and I will probably go with the paid version but you do not have to upgrade to get rid of the tigers.
